Youth for Nepal

Cultural program at old age home

A one-day cultural programme was jointly organized by SAATH (Social Service, Awareness Raising And Advocay for Tranquility and Humanity) - a Kathmandu based NGO and YFN on November 14, 2009 at Pashupati Bridhashram, Kathmandu. The main objective of the event was to provide a day of recreation and entertainment to the elderly people through various performances. Artists from Nepal Music School performed songs, dances and instrumentals during the event. The elderly people of the oldage home appreciated the efforts and hummed and danced to the music. Everyone at the Bridhashram enjoyed basking in the sun along with the music on a warm and sunny November day. Along with that, the spectators also showed their appreciation of the performance by some members of SAATH and YFN with a huge round of applause. About 20 volunteers from SAATH and 10 from YFN made the event a success.

Fundraiser in Iowa

The Nepalese Students Association (NSA) of Iowa
State University organized a fundraising Deusi program for the benefit of Youth For Nepal. The program started at 7 pm, covered several Nepali homes in Ames and in the neighboring city of Nevada, collected a total of 213 dollars, and ended at 1 am. Anil Raj Shrestha, a visitor from Iowa City, played the maadal while Kapil Kandel, a graduate student in the Chemistry department, kept company with his guitar. Traditional Deusi songs were sung by all and many warmed themselves up by dancing. Thanks to all the participants and the supporters!

Fundraiser in New York

On October 8, 2009, YFN (NY/NJ group) organized a happy-hour fundraising event at the bar Town Tavern in New York. For a donation of $10, each attendee could get $3 drafts and $4 well-drinks from 6 pm to 9 pm. Raffle tickets worth $5 were also sold. The event had a good turnout where, in addition to meeting all the members, many people learned about YFN and even showed interest in joining the organization. Slightly less than $400 was raised from the event.

Fundraiser in Pittsburgh

On October 4th, 2009, Nepalese Association of Pittsburgh (NAP) organized a Dashain Party during which YFN fundraising raffle tickets were sold. Tickets were priced $5 each with additional donations accepted. With 51 raffle tickets sold and no additional donations, a total of $255.00 was collected. The Dashain Party that began around 4:30 pm and lasted till 9:15pm was held at the University of Pittsburgh and featured Mr. Shambhujeet Baskota & Bimal Bhattachan (Ohio based artist). An estimated 150 Nepalese attended the event. While the event was open to the University of Pittsburgh community, the event was mostly catered towards the Nepalese community living in or around Pittsburgh. Among the attendees were local Nepalese students, families, and significant number of Bhutanese who have recently settled in the area. Besides Mr. Sambhujeet Baskota, some of the performances included a dance by students from Chatham University, a dance by Bhutanese/Nepalese children, a song by Mr Sovendra Gautam, to name a few. Towards the end of the program, the YFN raffle winner was randomly chosen by Mr. Shambhujeet Baskota. The winner was announced immediately after the draw and was notified by phone since the winner had already left the premise. Based on the mutual decision of the fundraiser and the members of NAP, the winner received $50 with the remaining amount of $205 collected for YFN.

Sincere thanks to Mr. James Joshi, Associate Professor in School of Information Sciences and adviser of the Nepalese Association at the University of Pittsburgh, for accommodating YFN request for selling raffle tickets, the NAP for their generosity, Mr. Shambhujeet Baskota for drawing the winner, and all the participants who made the Dashain celebration and the fundraiser for YFN a success.

Report prepared by Shikha Basnet, Pittsburgh

A view of the show

YFN's stall at the event

Mr. Shambhujeet Baskota draws the winner

YFN signs Memorandum of Understanding with Vidyadayini

YFN recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Vidyadayini Higher Secondary School in Bhaktapur. YFN will provide tuition scholarships to two students and Vidyadayini will do the same to two more students on behalf of YFN. The agreement went effective from the start of this academic year 2009-10.

The students are chosen on the basis of their academic performance as well as their extracurricular activities. The scholarships are renewed annually as long as the students maintain their academic performance and extracurricular achievements.

The students from Vidyadayini, not just the scholarship recipients, will also send independent project proposals to YFN regularly. Upon careful review of the projects, YFN will help the students in carrying out their projects by providing necessary funds, as well as guidance in planning, implementation and execution.

The four inaugural scholars for this year are:

1. Shishir Shrestha, Grade Nine
2. Tridevi Chakradhar, Grade Nine
3. Manisha Shrestha, Grade Nine
4. Nikita Shrestha, Grade Eight

Following are the brief bios of the students, in their own words:

Shisir Shrestha

I am Shisir Shrestha. I wans born in Balkot. I spent my childhood playing and studying there. My first school was Precious Public School and later on I studied at Mount View English Boarding School.

My aim is to join the army when I grow up. My hobby is to read stories and to write poems. I like going on short walks when I am bored. I like to watch T.V. mostly when I am free.

Tridevi Chakradhar

I am Tridevi Chakradhar. I live in Madhyapur, Thimi. My father is a tailor and mother is a housewife. I also have an older brother in my family.

I am diligent student, I always reach the school punctually and I like to sit on the first bench. My favorite subject is English and I like to speak English. But I am poor in Mathematics.

My favorite hobby is to play basketball in free time. I usually read funny stories and generally watch a film and visit my friends whenever I get time. I enjoy reading books on ancient culture and civilization.

I would like to become a nurse when I grow up and help the poor people in rural areas who do not have access to hospitals and healthcare services. I want to establish a small hospital in my village and shall employ good doctors and staff. I shall provide equipment and medicine. The poor people will be treated for free but the rich will have to pay. I shall ask the help of the government and the local people. I shall apply to the government for a yearly grant. I shall collect donations from the local people.

Manisha Shrestha

My name is Manisha Shrestha. I am fron Thimi, Bhaktapur. I study at grade nine of Vidyadayini Public Higher Secondary School. My father is a carpenter and my mother is a housewife.

I aim to become a doctor when I grow up. I have seen that many people in our country die because of poor health services as most of the people are living in poverty and they don’t have money to afford healthcare. I hope to serve the poor of my country through my profession and I determined to work hard to fulfill my ambition.

I also have several hobbies such as reading newspapers, reading story books, listening to music and so on. I am from the Newari community. I speak my mother tongue -- Newari. I am proud of ancestral culture and enjoy celebrating festivals such as Gai-Jatra, Krishnastami, Dashain, Tihar, Ramnawami etc. with my family and friends. I like the winter season. I am fond of travelling to new places and learning about various historical things.

Nikita Thapa

My name is Nikita Thapa. I study in eighth grade at Vidhyadayini Higher Secondary School. I am twelve years old. My home is in far-western region of Nepal in Kailali district. My father is a farmer. In future, I have strong ambition to become a doctor so that I can serve the poor people of my village.

My hobbies are dancing, playing basketball, badminton and chess. In future, I want to dedicate my life to serving the poor, especially the women of Nepal. I want to educate women about their social rights and promote the importance of women education.

YFN organizes a free healthcamp in Dhading

On August 9, 2009, Youth for Nepal (YFN), in collaboration with Nepal Medical Students Society (NMSS) and Sahid Memorial Hospital in Dhading, organized a free healthcamp in Muralivanjyang VDC, Dhading, a village located about a three-hour drive from Kathmandu. The camp was organized in the premises of Future Care Boarding School in Muralivanjyang.

The camp was designed for screeening and diagnosis of basic medical problems among the populace and distribution of appropriate medicines. Doctors from a wide range of practices – General Medicine, Eye, Ear Nose & Throat (ENT), Pediatrics, Gynacealogy and Dermatology – were available to serve the community.

About 400 people from the community attended the camp, most of whom were the elderly and children.

YFN expresses its sincerest thanks to the medical team of doctors and nurses, the dedicated local volunteers and the pharmaceutical companies who donated the bulk of the medicines needed for the camp for free.

-By Abishkar Shrestha

A slide-show of the health camp, by Bigyan Bista

Fundraiser in Boston, MA

On April 25, 2009, Youth For Nepal had a casual get-together at the South End residence of Sanchit Chokhani. The event lasted from 5 pm to 12 am on an unusually warm Saturday evening and was attended by over 40 people, who made it a success through their wonderful presence, some barbeque and drinking. Through voluntary contributions during the event and the generous support of other well-wishers, Sanchit and Raunak Agarwal (co-organizer) raised $1,436.
In addition, Sanchit's employer Digitas generously matched 20% of the funds raised and provided an additional $100, bringing the total amount of funds raised to $1,592 (after event costs of $256).


Our heartiest thanks to the donors.

- By Sanchit Chokhani

Fundraiser in New York City

On April 22, 2009, YFN organized its second fundraiser in New York City. The event was a happy hour at the Town Tavern bar, located in the heart of New York City’s vibrant West Village.


At the event, each patron was charged $10 entry fee which entitled them to 3 hours of great drinks specials at the bar as well as a round of appetizers. We also sold raffle off three $100 gift certificates sponsopred by our generous hosts – The Town Tavern. The tickets were priced at $5 for 1 ticket , $10 for 3 tickets, and $15 for 5 tickets. The three lucky prize-winners were:


1. Paul Nordlund
2. Shwechhya Pant
3. Chris Siezckowski


We raised $380 from bar entry fee and $355 from raffle tickets.


In addition, online donations were solicited by members of the YFN New York chapter among colleagues and friends. Through online donations we were able to raise $707.In total, $1442 was raised from the April fundraising efforts in New York, making it a resounding success.


Our heartiest thanks go out to all donors who donated online and patrons who attended the event at the bar.
- By Abishkar Shrestha

Fundraiser in Ames, IA

On 4 April, Youth for Nepal volunteers in Ames, IA, organized a fundraising potluck dinner in collaboration with the Nepali Student Association of Iowa State University. The event featured an art exhibition, poetry recital, live music performance, stand-up comedy and slideshow followed by an open floor session for the audience to showcase their talents.


The evening began with Chalechha Bataas Sustari (originally by Shambhu Rai) performed by Manoj Karkee with Pujan Lama and Abha Eli on guitars while the audience snacked and mingled amongst themselves. Afterward, Pujan sang Aaudai Jaadai (Uglyz) and Abha Eli sang Coffee and Cigarettes (Michelle Featherstone). Mahesh Jung Karki, president of the ISU-NSA, had the crowd laughing and puzzling over jokes and Gaon Khane Kathas (riddles). Pawan Bhandari, a visitor from Mankato, MN, recited a poem from his self-published book Hiuma Rujhe ko Geet, and also sang a song that he had composed. Pawan sold several copies of his poetry anthology, half of the amount raised from the sales was donated to Youth for Nepal. Manoj, Pujan and Abha performed two more songs, Chiso Chiso Hawa Ma (Denny Denzongpa) and Jati Maya Lae Pani (Arun Thapa). Dinner was then served by candlelight while Suyog Shrestha gave a presentation on the vision, mission, and modus operandi of YFN. Tea was served after dinner and the floor was opened. Everyone present sang joyously and danced. A total of $248 was raised. Thanks to all the performers, participants, and patrons!


Following people were present:
Mr. Bal P. Neupane
Dr. Buddhi, Mrs. Anju, Aashwin, Anu, and Aayush Lamsal
Dr. Durga, Mrs. Sima, Dakshina, and Darpan Paudyal
Mr. Som Sagar, Mrs. Jarina, Swechha, and Sakar Shrestha
Mrs. Amita, Aryan, Arpan Acharya
Mr. Man Bahadur, Mrs. Sita, Manas Basnyat
Mr. Manoj, and Mrs. Rojee Karkee
Dr. Bikash K.C. and Ms. Bishnu Karki
Akash Nakarmi, Mahesh Jung Karki, Suyog Shrestha, Abha Eli, Utsav Shrestha, Kapil Kandel, Irina Kansakar, Pujan Lama, Ananta Upadhyaya, Vinita Neupane.


Visiting from Mankato, MN:
Pawan Bhandari, Niju Shrestha, Bimal K.C., Sandesh Bhattarai, Bikash Lamsal.


Visting from Cedar Rapids:
Anil Raj Shrestha


Donors in absentia:
Babita Thapa: Cedar Rapids, IA
Manoj Jha: Ankeny, IA
Sambit Bhattarai, Isha Thapa: Des Moines, IA

- By Suyog Shrestha

Funds Raised in Muscatine

On January 31, 2009 during a potluck dinner at Yogi Naik’s apartment, the Rupandehi Scholarship project was introduced to a group of 11 people present at the dinner. Following a request for financial help, people noted below kindly donated the amounts indicated.

Dona Tharangi Ranasinghe $150
Karan Sachdev: $25
Kristin Erickson: $20
Ruchi & Viveck Rao: $10
Yogi Naik: $10

Total $215

Thank-you for supporting our cause and for your generous will to make a positive change in the world.